Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 52

Lesson 52

Kanji and everyday Japanese

190 lines

Calling at an old friend's home · Dialogue 1 of 4

Calling at an old friend's home

Colonel Clark calls at Colonel Yamamoto's home. The reply *はい、 いらっしゃいます* means "Yes, he is."

*IRASSHAIMASU* comes from *IRASSHARU*, an honorific word meaning "come, go, or be." The sentence determines its meaning.

Two respectful forms of say

Clark identifies himself with *クラークと もうす 者が 来たと つたえてくれませんか*, "Please tell him that Colonel Clark is here."

*もうす* is humble and refers to the speaker or someone closely connected with the speaker. *おっしゃる* is honorific and refers to another person.

In *どなた 様で いらっしゃいますか*, *様* respectfully raises the person being addressed. The place noun in *おたくですか* says where Yamamoto is.

Kanji: 佐, 様

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

Kanji: -A 暑

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

  1. 1

    ほうもん(いち)

    A Visit (1)

    ほうvisit
    もんvisit
    (一)one
  2. 2

    ごめんください。やまもといっさはおたくですか。

    Hello. Is Colonel Yamamoto at home?

  3. 3

    はい、いらっしゃいます。どなたさまでいらっしゃいますか。

    Yes, he is. Who shall I say is calling?

  4. 4

    クラークともうすものがきたとつたえてくれませんか。

    Please tell him that Colonel Clark is here.

  5. 5

    やあ、クラークたいさ、おひさしぶりですね。でも、よくいらっしゃいましたね。どうぞこちらへ。

    Oh, Colonel Clark. It's been a long time, hasn't it? I'm glad you came. Please, this way.

  6. 6

    ありがとうございます。

    Thank you.

MAI

The inflected suffix MAI, used with a third person subject, has already been introduced in Lesson 50 to express negative probability, 'probably not ----.'

In this lesson the same inflected suffix MAI is used with the first person subject to express negative determination, 'will not ----.'

Examples:

KYOO WA WATAKUSHI WA IKUMAI. "I won't go today."

ANMARI TAKAI KARA KAUMAI. "I will not buy it, because it's too expensive."

ONAKA GA SUITE IMASEN KARA TABEMAI. "I won't eat, because I'm not hungry."

KYOO WA ANMARI ATSUI KARA HATARAKIMASU MAI. "I won't work today, because it's too hot."

When the subject is 'you and I,' MAI is used to denote "Let's not ---."

Examples:

MOO OSOI KARA MATSUMAI. "It's already late, so let's not wait."

KONBAN WA MOO BENKYOOSHIMAI. "Let's not study any more tonight."
a. O + TAKU + DESU

The pattern: (O) + (nouns to indicate the place of being) + DESU expresses the idea of 'one is at ---.' The honorific prefix O is in parenthesis because sometimes it is used and sometimes not.

Examples:

ANATA WA KONBAN OTAKU DESU KA. "Will you be at home tonight?"

ANO HITO WA KYOO GAKKOO DESU KA. "Is he at school today?"

WATAKUSHI WA KYOO ICHINICHIJUU JIMUSHO DESU. "I'll be at the office all day today."

O or GO + (Chinese verb without SURU) + DESU

In the case of a verb of Chinese origin, it takes GO or sometimes O for the honorific. This construction expresses the idea of 'one is doing ---' or 'one is going to do ---.'

Examples:

KONBAN GO-BENKYOO DESU KA. "Are you going to study tonight?"

ITSU GO-SHUPPATSU DESU KA. "When are you leaving?"

IE NO O-SOOJI DESU KA. "Are you cleaning house?"

Note:

OJOOZU DESU, OHIMA DESU, OGENKI DESU, etc., don't come under this pattern since JOOZU, HIMA, GENKI, etc., are copulative nouns and always take the DESU ending when used as a predicate.
NI TOTTE WA 'for,' 'to,' 'with'

Following personal nouns and pronouns, NI TOTTE WA expresses the idea of 'to ---,' 'for ---.'

Examples:

KORE WA SEITO NI TOTTE WA MUZUKASHII DESU. "This is difficult for students."

SORE WA WATAKUSHI NI TOTTE WA TAISETSU NA KOTO DESU. "This is an important thing to me."

KORE WA KODOMO NI TOTTE WA AMARI YOKU NAI EIGA DESU. "This movie is not so good for children."

NIHONGO WA ARU SEITO NI TOTTE WA TOTEMO YASASHII DESU. "Japanese is very easy for some students."
--N DESU NE or --N DA NE

Following the basic form of verbs, both affirmative and negative, --N DESU NE (or --N DA NE), which is an abbreviated form of NO DESU (or NO DA), is sometimes used in an obligatory sense with a 2nd person subject. It is translated as 'should,' 'ought to,' or 'had better.' At times YO is used in place of NE to carry a stronger obligatory force. In the following examples, the subject 'you' is understood.

Note: At times this --N DESU NE could be interpreted as 'isn't it?' It all depends on the context of the sentence and also on intonation.

Examples:

MOTTO BENKYOO SURUN DESU NE. "You should study more."

HAYAKU IKUN DESU NE. "You should go early."

AMMARI TABENAIN DESU NE. "You shouldn't eat too much."

HAYAKU NERUN DESU NE. "You ought to go to bed earlier."
IRASSHAIMASU

IRASSHAIMASU comes from IRASSHARU, an honorific word meaning 'come, go, or be,' depending on the context of the sentence.

ANATA WA NIHON E IRASSHAIMASU KA. "Are you going to Japan?"

ANATA WA ITSU NIHON KARA IRASSHAIMASHITA KA. "When did you come from Japan?"

ANATA WA KONBAN UCHI NI IRASSHAIMASU KA. "Will you be at home tonight?"
MOOSHIMASU vs. OSSHAIMASU

MOOSU and OSSHARU are polite equivalents of IU (to say). MOOSU, a humble verb, is used in reference to the speaker and persons closely connected with him. OSSHARU, an honorific, refers only to persons other than the speaker, in polite speech.
NASARU vs. ITASU

NASARU is the polite honorific equivalent of SURU, both as an independent word and as part of compounds like BENKYOO-SURU (honorific BENKYOO-NASARU). ITASU is a humble verb.

"Did you study?" "Yes, I studied."

BENKYOO SHIMASHITA KA. EE, BENKYOO SHIMASHITA.

BENKYOO NASAIMASHITA KA. HAI, BENKYOO ITASHIMASHITA.

NASARU belongs to the same subclass of verbs as IRASSHARU, OSSHARU, KUDASARU. Its MASU-BASE is NASAI and TE-form is NASATTE.
ITADAKIMASU vs. MORAIMASU

Situations involving giving can also be described from the point of view of receiving. The Japanese equivalent of 'receive' is MORAU. MORAU is used when the subject (person) receives something from an inferior person. The humble equivalent of MORAU is ITADAKU. ITADAKU is used when the subject (person) receives something from a superior. When MORAU and ITADAKU are used with the TE-form of verbs, they mean, 'you receive the favor of ---' or 'you'll have someone do something for you.'

Examples:

WATAKUSHI WA SEITO NI ENPITSU O MORAIMASHITA. "I received a pencil from my student."

WATAKUSHI WA SENSEI NI HON O ITADAKIMASHITA. "I received a book from my teacher."
ITTE MAIRIMASU

ITTE MAIRIMASU is a humble expression for ITTE KIMASU which has already been introduced in Lesson 40 and is the farewell regularly said by someone leaving his home to the person remaining behind.
SAMA (honorific title)

The suffix -SAMA used after a personal nouns or pronoun is honorific in that it elevates the person named or referred to. -SAN has a less formal and more friendly connotation.

Examples:

| | 
OKU-SAMA | 'wife' | OKU-SAN
OTOO-SAMA | 'father' | OTOO-SAN
OKAA-SAMA | 'mother' | OKAA-SAN
DONATA-SAMA | "who?" | DONATA-SAN
OJOO-SAMA | 'daughter' | OJOO-SAN

Prefix O or GO and suffix -SAMA is used with some nouns and adjectival verbs.

Examples:

GO-CHISOO-SAMA (DESHITA) "It was a feast." "Thanks for the feast."

GO-KUROO-SAMA "Thanks for your trouble."

GO-SHINSETSU-SAMA "Thanks for your kindness."

O-KAGE-SAMA (DE) "Thanks to you."
(一)
one
ください。
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
一佐
Colonel, Captain (Navy) (Japanese rank)
は
leaves
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
ます。
trout
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
もうす
to say (humble) (See Notes)
者
person
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
やあ、
Oh!
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
よく
well, skillfully
こちら
this, here (See Gram. Notes)
へ。
to (See Gram. Notes)

Meeting a new grandchild · Dialogue 2 of 4

A new grandchild

Clark meets Yamamoto's new grandson. *長女の 秋子に 三か月ほど 前に むすこが 生れたのです* means "My eldest daughter Akiko had a baby son about 3 months ago."

The friends speak about becoming a grandfather and how dear grandchildren are to grandparents.

Do, in two respectful forms

*おらくに なさってください* means "Please make yourself comfortable." *なさる* is the honorific verb for doing another person's action.

Clark answers with *しつれいいたします*, "Excuse me." *いたす* is the humble verb for the speaker's action.

In *おじいさん、 おばあさんに とって 孫ほど かわいい ものは ないと 言いますね*, *に とって* marks the grandparents for whom the judgment holds.

Kanji: 赤, 孫

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

Kanji: 生

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

  1. 7

    さあ、どうぞおらくになさってください。

    Please make yourself comfortable.

  2. 8

    ありがとうございます。じゃ、しつれいいたします。おお、そのあかちゃんはおたくのおこさんですか。

    Thank you very much. Excuse me, then. Oh, is that baby your child?

  3. 9

    いいえ、まごですよ。ちょうじょのあきこにさんかげつほどまえにむすこがうまれたのです。

    No, it's my grandchild. My eldest daughter Akiko had a baby son about 3 months ago.

  4. 10

    それはおめでとうございます。じゃ、あなたももうおじいさんですね。

    Congratulations. Then, you are already a grandfather, aren't you?

  5. 11

    ええ、おじいさんになってしまいましたよ。でも、まごはかわいいものですね。

    Yes, I became a grandfather. But I don't mind; my grandchild is very lovable.

  6. 12

    おじいさん、おばあさんにとってまごほどかわいいものはないといいますね。

    They say nothing is so precious as grandchildren for grandfathers and grandmothers.

さあ、
well, now, here, come
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
赤ちゃん
baby (an affectionate way of referring to a baby)
の
See Grammar Notes
孫
grandchild
長女
eldest daughter
秋
autumn, fall
三
three
ほど
to the extent (See Grammar Notes)
前
before, front
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
ええ、
Yes
かわいい
dear, lovely, charming
もの
things (tangible)

Discussing children and marriage · Dialogue 3 of 4

Years before a grandchild

Yamamoto tells Clark, *あなたも 早く おじいさんに なるんですね*, "You had better make haste and become a grandfather, too."

Here, the basic-form verb followed by *んですね* presents what Clark should do.

Clark explains that his son is twenty and his daughter is sixteen, so becoming a grandfather remains years away.

Kanji: 男

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

  1. 13

    ほんとうですよ。あなたもはやくおじいさんになるんですね。

    They are so right. You had better make haste and become a grandfather, too.

  2. 14

    いや、こればかりはどうにもなりませんね。ちょうなんもまだはたちですからね。だいがくをでてけっこんするまでには、まだしごねんありますよ。

    No, this is something I can't do anything about. My eldest son is still only twenty, you see. It will be another 4 or 5 years before he graduates from the university and gets married.

  3. 15

    おたくにはおじょうさんがおありでしょう。

    You have a daughter, haven't you?

  4. 16

    ええ、ありますが、まだじゅうろくさいですから、さきがながいです。

    Yes, I have but she is only 16, so she has a long way to go.

  5. 17

    そうですか。もっとおおきいとおもいましたが。

    Is that so? I thought she was older (bigger).

  6. 18

    いいえ、おおきいのはからだばかりですよ。

    No, she has grown only physically.

本
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
いや、
no
長男
eldest son
まだ
yet, still
二十
20
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
ます
trout
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
十
ten
六
six
そう
numerical counter for ships
もっと
more (See Gram. Notes)
体
body, health

Sending regards through a friend · Dialogue 4 of 4

Regards through a friend

Yamamoto asks Clark, *ジョンズさんにも どうぞ よろしく おっしゃってください*, "Please give my regards to Mr. Jones."

Honorific *おっしゃる* refers respectfully to Clark's saying. Clark answers about himself with humble *そう もうします*, "Yes, I'll do that."

Kanji: 緒

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

  1. 19

    それはそうと、あなたはジョンズさんとごいっしょでしょう。

    By the way, you are with Mr. Jones, aren't you?

  2. 20

    ええ、ジョンズさんがよろしくといっていましたよ。

    Yes, Mr. Jones says hello to you.

  3. 21

    そうですか。それはどうもありがとうございます。ジョンズさんにもどうぞよろしくおっしゃってください。

    Is that right? Thank you very much. Please give my regards to Mr. Jones.

  4. 22

    そうもうします。

    Yes, I'll do that.

と、
and (See Gram. Notes)
し
city

Declining future plans · Perception drill, Block 1

The speaker decides against an action

*私は 今日は 行くまい* means "I won't go today." With a first-person subject, *まい* states a determination not to perform a future action.

The ending can follow different verb forms. *明日は 休だから、 今晩は 勉強しまい* means "Tomorrow is a day off, so I don't think I'll study tonight."

A decision after a reason

A stated cause leads to the decision. *もう おそいから 来ないだろう。 もう 待つまい* means "It is late, so he probably will not come. I will not wait any longer."

The first clause concerns another person's probability. The second states the speaker's decision.

  1. 23

    わたくしはきょうはいくまい。

    I won't go today.

  2. 24

    こんばんにほんえいがにいきますか。

    Are you going to a Japanese movie tonight?

  3. 25

    すこしかぜをひいているから、わたくしはこんばんはいきますまい。

    I have a slight cold, so I don't think I'll go tonight.

  4. 26

    もうすこしいかがですか。

    How about a little more?

  5. 27

    ありがとうございますが、あんまりたべると、からだにわるいから、もうたべますまい。

    Thank you, but eating too much is bad for me, so I don't think I'll have any more.

  6. 28

    こんばんもべんきょうするのですか。

    Are you going to study again tonight?

  7. 29

    あしたはやすみだから、こんばんはべんきょうしまい。

    Tomorrow is a day off, so I don't think I'll study tonight.

  8. 30

    こんばんロスアンゼルスへかえるのですか。

    Are you going back to Los Angeles tonight?

  9. 31

    もうおそいから、こんばんはかえりますまい。

    It's already late, so I don't think I'll go home tonight.

  10. 32

    たなかさんはずいぶんおそいね。

    Mr. Tanaka is awfully late, isn’t he?

  11. 33

    もうおそいからこないだろう。もうまつまい。

    It's already late, so he probably won't come. I won't wait any longer.

今日
today
映画
movie
少し
little (quantity)
かぜ
wind
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
明日
tomorrow
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
おそい
be late
ずい分
very much
待つ
to wait

Asking about someone's plans · Perception drill, Block 2

Where a person will be

*あなたは 今晩 お たく ですか* means "Will you be at home tonight?" A place noun followed by *です* says where someone is.

The honorific prefix *お* sometimes comes before the place noun.

An activity without an explicit verb

*あなたは 今晩 御 勉強 ですか* means "Are you going to study tonight?"

A Chinese activity noun drops *SURU*, takes honorific *御* or *お*, and is followed by *です*. The pattern asks about an activity or plan.

*いつ 御出ぱつですか* means "When are you leaving?"

  1. 34

    あなたはこんばんおたくですか。

    Will you be at home tonight?

  2. 35

    あなたはこんばんごべんきょうですか。

    Are you going to study tonight?

  3. 36

    こんしゅうのどようびはおしごとですか。

    Are you working this Saturday?

  4. 37

    いつごしゅっぱつですか。

    When are you leaving?

  5. 38

    いつがっこうをごそつぎょうですか。

    When are you graduating from school?

  6. 39

    おくさんもごいっしょですか。

    Is your wife going with you?

  7. 40

    もうおやすみですか。

    Have you gone to bed already?

  8. 41

    おくさんはごびょうきですか。

    Is your wife ill?

今週
this week
いつ
when?

Suitability for different people · Perception drill, Block 3

A judgment for a person or group

*これは 私たちにとっては むずかしいです* states that this is difficult for the speaker and the speaker's group.

*にとっては* follows a personal noun or pronoun. It identifies the person or group for whom the judgment holds.

The group before the judgment

*日本語を 習う人にとっては、 かん字は 大切です* means "Kanji are important for people learning Japanese."

The people come before *にとっては*. The quality judged for them comes after it.

  1. 42

    これはわたくしたちにとってはむずかしいです。

    This is difficult for us.

  2. 43

    このいえはあなたのごかぞくにとってはすこしせまいでしょう

    This house is probably a little small for your family.

  3. 44

    このえいがはこどもにとってはあまりよくない。

    This movie is not very good for children.

  4. 45

    にほんごをならうひとにとっては、かんじはたいせつです。

    Kanji are important for people learning Japanese.

  5. 46

    にんじんはからだのよわいひとにとっては、とてもいいのです。

    Carrots are very good for people who are physically weak.

  6. 47

    このしごとはとしよりにとっては、すこしむりです。

    This job is a little too much for an elderly person.

むずかしい
difficult
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
家
house, home
せまい
narrow, crowded
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
人
people
とても
very, indeed
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)

Confirming advice and intentions · Perception drill, Block 4

Advice with んですね

*あなたも 今晩 早く ねるんですね* means "You should go to bed early tonight."

*んですね* follows the affirmative or negative basic form of a verb. With a second-person subject, it can mean "should," "ought to," or "had better."

Context determines the force

*もう 少し 気を つけるんですね* means "You'll be a little more careful, won't you?"

The same form can present advice or confirm an expected action. Context and intonation determine the meaning.

  1. 48

    あなたもこんばんはやくねるんですね。

    You should go to bed early tonight.

  2. 49

    スミスさん、もうすこしべんきょうするんですね。

    Mr. Smith, you're going to study a little more, aren't you?

  3. 50

    もうすこしたべてふとるんですね。

    You're going to eat a little more and gain weight, aren't you?

  4. 51

    こんばんはくすりをのんではやくやすむんですね。

    You're going to take some medicine and go to bed early tonight, aren't you?

  5. 52

    ジョンズさん、あたらしいくるまをかうんですね。

    Mr. Jones, you're going to buy a new car, aren't you?

  6. 53

    たなかさん、すこしやせるんですね。あんまりふとるのはからだにわるいですよ。

    Mr. Tanaka, you're going to lose a little weight, aren't you? Getting too fat is bad for you.

  7. 54

    もうすこしきをつけるんですね。

    You'll be a little more careful, won't you?

ねる
to sleep
ふとる
to become stout (v.i.)
くすり
medicine
車
vehicle, car
買う
to buy
やせる
to lose weight (v.i.)

Deciding not to act · Pattern 1 1 of 3

A decision not to act

The first-person *まい* from *私は 今日は 行くまい* states a decision not to act.

*今日は 暑いから、 私は 働くまい* means "It's hot today, so I don't think I'll work." The reason precedes the refusal.

*雨が 降りそうだから、 明日は ゴルフを やるまい* applies the same ending to playing golf.

  1. 55

    わたくしはきょうはいくまい。

    I won't go today.

  2. 56

    きょうはあついから、わたくしははたらくまい。

    It's hot today, so I don't think I'll work.

  3. 57

    おなかがいたいから、わたくしはたべますまい。

    My stomach hurts, so I don't think I'll eat.

  4. 58

    あしたはにちようびだから、わたくしはじゅうじごろまでおきまい。

    Tomorrow is Sunday, so I don't think I'll get up until about ten.

  5. 59

    あんまりたかいから、(わたくしは)かうまい。

    It's too expensive, so I don't think I'll buy it.

  6. 60

    わたくしはおべんとうをもっていきますまい。

    I don't think I'll take a boxed lunch with me.

  7. 61

    あしたゴルフをやりますか。

    Are you going to play golf tomorrow?

  8. 62

    あめがふりそうだから、あしたはゴルフをやるまい。

    It looks like rain, so I don't think I'll play golf tomorrow.

おなか
stomach
時
time
頃
approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)
べんとう
box lunch
ゴルフ
golf
雨
rain
やる
to do

Declining outings and activities · Pattern 1 2 of 3

A reason for not going

A question uses honorific *いらっしゃいます* in *今週末 サンフランシスコへ いらっしゃいますか*, "Are you going to San Francisco this weekend?"

The reply *今週末は いそがしいから、 行くまい* declines with first-person *まい*: "I'll be busy this weekend, so I don't think I'll go."

*少し ねつが あるから、 私は 行くまい* gives a fever as another reason not to go.

  1. 63

    こんしゅうまつサンフランシスコへいらっしゃいますか。

    Are you going to San Francisco this weekend?

  2. 64

    こんしゅうまつはいそがしいから、いくまい。

    I'll be busy this weekend, so I don't think I'll go.

  3. 65

    きょうはいいてんきだから、およぎにいきませんか。

    It's nice today, so would you like to go swimming?

  4. 66

    すこしねつがあるから、わたくしはいくまい。

    I have a slight fever, so I don't think I'll go.

  5. 67

    のむ

    To drink.

  6. 68

    やすむ

    To rest.

  7. 69

    かえる

    To go home.

  8. 70

    かぶる

    To put on a hat.

サンフランシスコ
San Francisco
いそがしい
busy
天気
weather
ねつ
fever
ある
certain, some
かぶる
to wear (on head)

Everyday verbs with refusal · Pattern 1 3 of 3

Everyday actions to refuse

*送る* means "To send." *見る* means "To see." *着る* means "To put on clothes."

These verbs name everyday actions that can take first-person *まい*.

The remaining actions include *出かける*, "To go out," *そうじをする*, "To clean," and *かぎをかける*, "To lock."

  1. 71

    おくる

    To send.

  2. 72

    みる

    To see.

  3. 73

    きる

    To put on clothes.

  4. 74

    でかける

    To go out.

  5. 75

    そうじをする

    To clean.

  6. 76

    かぎをかける

    To lock.

送る
to send (v.t.)
そうじ
cleaning

Respectful questions about activities · Pattern 2 1 of 2

Place or activity before です

*あなたは 今晩 お うち ですか* means "Will you be at home tonight?" The noun before *です* names the person's place.

*あなたは 午後 御散歩ですか* means "Are you going to take a walk in the afternoon?" The honorifically prefixed noun names the planned activity.

  1. 77

    あなたはこんばんおうちですか。

    Will you be at home tonight?

  2. 78

    あなたはごごごさんぽですか。

    Are you going to take a walk in the afternoon?

  3. 79

    こんばんおくさんはおたくでしょうか。

    Will your wife be at home tonight?

  4. 80

    たなかさんはこんばんおしごとですか。

    Is Mr. Tanaka working tonight?

  5. 81

    おこさんはいつだいがくをごそつぎょうですか。

    When is your child graduating from college?

  6. 82

    スミスさんはさんがつとおかににほんへごしゅっぱつです。

    Mr. Smith is leaving for Japan on March 10.

  7. 83

    こんばんはおくさんとごいっしょですか。

    Are you with your wife tonight?

うち
home, house
午後
p.m., afternoon
月
moon, month (See Grammar Notes)

Discussing work, study and walks · Pattern 2 2 of 2

Activities stated as nouns

*毎晩 何時頃まで 御勉強ですか* means "Until about what time do you study every night?"

The activity noun before *です* states the activity without an explicit verb ending.

*今日は 奥さんと 御一緒で お散歩ですか* asks whether the person is walking with his wife.

  1. 84

    こんしゅうのどようびはおしごとですか。

    Are you working this Saturday?

  2. 85

    ええ、いまいちばんいそがしいときで、いちにちじゅうしごとです。

    Yes, this is our busiest time, so I work all day.

  3. 86

    まいばんなんじごろまでごべんきょうですか。

    Until about what time do you study every night?

  4. 87

    たいていじゅうじごろまでべんきょうします。

    I usually study until about ten.

  5. 88

    きょうはおくさんとごいっしょでおさんぽですか。

    Are you out for a walk with your wife today?

  6. 89

    ええ、てんきがよいので、さんぽすることにしました。

    Yes, the weather is nice, so we decided to take a walk.

一番
number one (See Grammar Notes)
で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
一
one
よい
good (See Gram. Notes)

Judging things for people · Pattern 3 1 of 2

The people affected by a judgment

In *これは あの人にとっては むずかしいでしょう*, *にとっては* identifies the person for whom the judgment holds.

*これは 子供にとっては、 とても おもしろい 本です* means "This is a very interesting book for children."

*この家は 山本さんの 家族にとっては、 少し せまいです* applies the judgment to Yamamoto's family.

  1. 90

    これはあのひとにとってはむずかしいでしょう。

    This is probably difficult for him.

  2. 91

    これはこどもにとっては、とてもおもしろいほんです。

    This is a very interesting book for children.

  3. 92

    このえいがはこどもにとってはあまりよくないですね。

    This movie isn't very good for children.

  4. 93

    かんじはにほんごをならうせいとにとってはたいせつです。

    Chinese characters are important for students learning Japanese.

  5. 94

    きょうのしけんはたなかさんにとってはすこしやさしいです。

    Today's test is a little easy for Mr. Tanaka.

  6. 95

    このいえはやまもとさんのかぞくにとっては、すこしせまいです。

    This house is a little small for Mr. Yamamoto's family.

おもしろい
interesting, to be fun
やさしい
easy

Comparing needs across groups · Pattern 3 2 of 2

Different judgments for different groups

*英語は 日本人にとっては むずかしいそうですね* means "I hear English is difficult for Japanese people."

Here, *にとっては* identifies the group for whom the judgment holds.

One movie can receive different judgments. *子供にとっては おもしろい 映画でしょうが、 大人には あまり よくなかったね* contrasts children with adults.

  1. 96

    えいごはにほんじんにとってはむずかしいそうですね。

    I hear English is difficult for Japanese people.

  2. 97

    ええ、はつおんがむずかしいのです。

    Yes, the pronunciation is difficult.

  3. 98

    にほんじんにとってたいせつなたべものはなんでしょうか。

    What foods are important for Japanese people?

  4. 99

    さかなとやさいでしょう。

    Probably fish and vegetables.

  5. 100

    さくばんのえいがはどうでしたか。

    How was last night's movie?

  6. 101

    そうですね。こどもにとってはおもしろいえいがでしょうが、おとなにはあまりよくなかったね。

    Well, it may have been an interesting movie for children, but it wasn't very good for adults.

さかな
fish
やさい
vegetable

Giving direct advice · Pattern 4 1 of 2

Direct advice about an action

*もう 少し 早く おきるんですね* means "You should get up a little earlier." The advice pattern follows the basic form of the verb.

*一生けんめいに 日本語を 勉強するんですね* means "You should study Japanese hard." Each line recommends an action to the listener.

  1. 102

    もうすこしはやくおきるんですね。

    You should get up a little earlier.

  2. 103

    もっとおおきなこえでしつもんするんですね。

    You should ask the question in a louder voice.

  3. 104

    こんばんはくすりをのんではやくねるんですね。

    You should take some medicine and go to bed early tonight.

  4. 105

    はやくしごとをすませていえへかえるんですね。

    You should finish your work quickly and go home.

  5. 106

    もうすこしたべてふとるんですね。

    You should eat a little more and gain weight.

  6. 107

    いっしょうけんめいににほんごをべんきょうするんですね。

    You should study Japanese hard.

おきる
to rise, get up (v.i.)
大きな
big, large (See Gram. Notes)
声
voice
しつもん
question

Advice for everyday balance · Pattern 4 2 of 2

Advice based on the situation

*降るかも 知れないから、 レーンコートを 持って 行くんですね* means "Yes, since it may rain, you should take a raincoat with you."

The *んですね* advice pattern recommends an action that fits the stated situation.

*時々 あそびに 出るんですね* advises someone who studies constantly to go out sometimes.

  1. 108

    きょうはくもっていて、あめがふりそうですね。

    It's cloudy today, and it looks like rain.

  2. 109

    ええ、ふるかもしれないから、レーンコートをもっていくんですね。

    Yes, since it may rain, you should take a raincoat with you.

  3. 110

    あなたはいつもひとりでえいがにいきますが、ときどきおくさんをつれていくんですね。

    You always go to the movies alone, but sometimes you should take your wife with you.

  4. 111

    ええ、でもかないはえいがはきらいだというんですよ。

    Yes, but my wife says she doesn't like movies.

  5. 112

    あなたはいつもべんきょうばかりしていますが、ときどきあそびにでるんですね。

    You are always studying, but sometimes you should go out and have some fun.

  6. 113

    ええ、でもべんきょうがすきですから、しかたがないんですよ。

    Yes, but I like studying, so I can't help it.

降る
to fall (rain) (v.i.)
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
一人
one person
時々
sometimes, occasionally
きらい
dislike (See Gram. Notes)
言う
to say
好き
to like, be fond of (See Grammar Notes)

A visit and new grandchild · Reading Selection 1 of 2

A visit between old friends

*ある日の午後、 クラーク大佐は 山本一佐をほうもんしました* means "One afternoon, Colonel Clark visited Colonel Yamamoto."

The men have been friends since Clark lived in Japan six years earlier. Jones planned to join the visit but was busy.

Yamamoto has one grandchild. His eldest daughter Akiko had a son about three months earlier.

  1. 114

    あるひのごご、クラークたいさはやまもといっさをほうもんしました。

    One afternoon, Colonel Clark visited Colonel Yamamoto.

  2. 115

    やまもといっさは、クラークたいさがろくねんまえににほんにいたときからのともだちで、たびたびてがみのやりとりをしていました。

    Colonel Yamamoto had been Colonel Clark's friend since Clark was in Japan six years earlier, and they had often exchanged letters.

  3. 116

    クラークたいさのともだちのジョンズたいさもいっしょにいくはずでしたが、しごとがいそがしくて、いっしょにいくことができなかったのです。

    Colonel Clark's friend Colonel Jones was also supposed to go with him, but he was busy with work and could not go along.

  4. 117

    クラークたいさはやまもとさんのへやへあんないされました。

    Colonel Clark was shown to Mr. Yamamoto's room.

  5. 118

    やまもとさんにはまごがひとりあります。

    Mr. Yamamoto has one grandchild.

  6. 119

    ちょうじょのあきこさんにさんかげつほどまえにおとこのこがうまれました。

    His eldest daughter, Akiko, had a baby boy about three months ago.

  7. 120

    それでやまもとさんもおじいさんになったのです。

    That is how Mr. Yamamoto became a grandfather.

午後、
p.m., afternoon
たびたび
often, frequently
手紙
letter (correspondence)
へや
room
男の子
boy

Waiting to become a grandfather · Reading Selection 2 of 2

Dear to grandparents

In *おじいさんとおばあさんにとって、 孫ほど*, *にとって* marks the grandparents for whom the judgment holds.

*おじいさんとおばあさんにとって、 孫ほど かわいいものはないと言います* means "For grandfathers and grandmothers, there is nothing as dear as a grandchild, they say."

Clark's son is still in college, and his daughter is sixteen. Clark therefore has years to wait before becoming a grandfather.

  1. 121

    おじいさんとおばあさんにとって、まごほど

    For grandfathers and grandmothers, there is nothing

  2. 122

    かわいいものはないといいます。

    as dear as a grandchild, they say.

  3. 123

    クラークたいさにもことしはたちのむすこさんがありますが、まだいがくにいっているので、けっこんするのはまだしごねんさきのことだそうです。

    Colonel Clark also has a twenty-year-old son, but he is still in college, so it seems that he will not get married for another four or five years.

  4. 124

    むすめさんはまだじゅうろくさいです。

    His daughter is only sixteen.

  5. 125

    ですから、クラークたいさはおじいさんになれるまでには、まださきがながいのです。

    So Colonel Clark still has a long time to wait before he can become a grandfather.

  6. 126

    クラークさんはやまもとさんとながいあいだいろいろはなして、ゆうはんのまえにいえへかえりました。

    Mr. Clark talked with Mr. Yamamoto about various things for a long time and went home before dinner.

今年
this year

Asking about a friend's visit · Questions 1 of 2

Details of the visit

The questions ask where Clark went, how long the men were friends, and why Jones did not join them.

*ある日 クラーク大佐は どこへ 行きましたか* means "Where did Colonel Clark go one day?" An answer gives the place he visited.

Other answers identify Yamamoto's eldest daughter and state when her baby was born.

  1. 127

    あるひクラークたいさはどこへいきましたか。

    Where did Colonel Clark go one day?

  2. 128

    やまもといっさはいつからクラークたいさのともだちでしたか。

    Since when had Colonel Yamamoto been Colonel Clark's friend?

  3. 129

    やまもといっさはクラークたいさとてがみのやりとりをしていましたか。

    Did Colonel Yamamoto exchange letters with Colonel Clark?

  4. 130

    ジョンズたいさもいきましたか。

    Did Colonel Jones go too?

  5. 131

    なぜジョンズたいさはいきませんでしたか。

    Why didn't Colonel Jones go?

  6. 132

    クラークたいさはだれにやまもとさんのへやへあんないされましたか。

    Who showed Colonel Clark to Mr. Yamamoto's room?

  7. 133

    やまもとさんにはまごがありますか。なんにんありますか。

    Does Mr. Yamamoto have any grandchildren? How many does he have?

  8. 134

    やまもとさんのちょおじょはだれですか。

    Who is Mr. Yamamoto's eldest daughter?

  9. 135

    あきこさんにはいつあかちゃんがうまれましたか。

    When did Akiko have her baby?

なぜ
why?
だれ
who?

Asking about children and grandchildren · Questions 2 of 2

Children and grandchildren

The questions ask about Yamamoto's grandchild, Clark's children, their ages, and Clark's prospects of becoming a grandfather.

*おじいさんや おばあさんに とっては 何が 一番 かわいいですか* means "What is dearest of all to grandfathers and grandmothers?"

An answer names what grandparents find dearest. Other answers give ages, activities, and the time Clark went home.

  1. 136

    そのあかちゃんはおんなのこですか。

    Is the baby a girl?

  2. 137

    おじいさんやおばあさんにとってはなにがいちばんかわいいですか。

    What is dearest of all to grandfathers and grandmothers?

  3. 138

    クラークさんにはこどもがありますか。なんにんありますか。

    Does Mr. Clark have any children? How many does he have?

  4. 139

    むすこさんはいくつですか。

    How old is his son?

  5. 140

    むすこさんはどうしていますか。

    What is his son doing?

  6. 141

    むすめさんはいくつですか。

    How old is his daughter?

  7. 142

    クラークたいさはもうすぐおじいさんになりますか。

    Will Colonel Clark become a grandfather soon?

  8. 143

    クラークたいさはいつごろいえへかえりましたか。

    About what time did Colonel Clark go home?

女の子
girl
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
すぐ
right away, immediately

Honorific words for visiting · Word list 1 of 4

Respectful language for a visit

This set covers a visit, asking whether someone is home, identifying a caller, and conveying a message.

*御めんください* means "Hello, is anyone in?" *おたくですか* means "Is he or she at home?"

The suffix *--様* follows a personal noun or pronoun and raises the person named. *どなた 様* is the formal word for "who."

  1. 144

    ほうもん(する)

    visit (to visit)

  2. 145

    ごめんください

    Hello, is anyone in?; Excuse me.

  3. 146

    いっさ

    Colonel, Captain (Navy) (Japanese rank)

  4. 147

    おたくですか

    Is he (she) at home? (See Grammar Notes)

  5. 148

    じょちゅう

    maid

  6. 149

    いらっしゃる

    is, are (honorific) (See Notes on Conv. Expressions)

  7. 150

    どなたさま

    who (See Notes on Conversational Expressions)

  8. 151

    --さま

    Mr., Mrs., Esq. (See Notes)

  9. 152

    --でいらっしゃいます

    is, are (honorific copula, same as DESU in meaning)

  10. 153

    もうす

    to say (humble) (See Notes)

  11. 154

    つたえる

    to convey, tell

  12. 155

    やあ

    Oh, well

ほうもん(する)
visit (to visit)
御めんください
Hello, is anyone in?; Excuse me.
おたくですか
Is he (she) at home? (See Grammar Notes)
女中
maid
いらっしゃる
to come, go (honorific verb)
どなた様
who (See Notes on Conversational Expressions)
--様
Mr., Mrs., Esq. (See Notes)
--でいらっしゃいます
is, are (honorific copula, same as DESU in meaning)
つたえる
to convey, tell
やあ
Oh!

Babies, birth and congratulations · Word list 2 of 4

A guest and a new baby

This set covers making a guest comfortable and speaking about a birth.

*おらくに なさってください* means "Please make yourself comfortable." It uses honorific *なさる*.

The humble *しつれい いたします* means "Excuse me. Pardon me."

*赤ちゃん* means "baby," *孫* means "grandchild," and *お目出とう 御ざいます* means "congratulations."

  1. 156

    おひさしぶりですね

    It's been a long time since I last saw you.

  2. 157

    おらくになさってください

    Please make yourself comfortable.

  3. 158

    なさる

    to do (honorific verb) (See Notes)

  4. 159

    しつれいいたします

    Excuse me. Pardon me.

  5. 160

    あかちゃん

    baby (an affectionate way of referring to a baby)

  6. 161

    おたくの

    your

  7. 162

    まご

    grandchild

  8. 163

    ちょおじょ

    eldest daughter

  9. 164

    うまれる

    to be born

  10. 165

    おめでとうございます

    congratulations

  11. 166

    おじいさん

    grandfather

  12. 167

    かわいい

    dear, lovely, charming

おひさしぶりですね
It's been a long time since I last saw you.
おらくになさってください
Please make yourself comfortable.
なさる
to do (honorific verb) (See Notes)
しつれいいたします
Excuse me. Pardon me.
おたくの
your
生まれる
to be born
お目出とう御ざいます
congratulations
おじいさん
grandfather

Family and marriage terms · Word list 3 of 4

Family, advice, and regards

This set covers family relationships, age, marriage, judgments for people, and respectful words for conveying regards.

*長男* means "eldest son," *二十* means "twenty years old," and *けっこん* means "marriage."

*--にとって* marks the person affected by a judgment. *なるんですね* gives advice, while *よろしくおっしゃって ください* conveys best regards.

  1. 168

    おばあさん

    grandmother

  2. 169

    いや

    no

  3. 170

    --にとって

    for, to, with (See Grammar Notes)

  4. 171

    こればかりはどうにもなりません

    This is something beyond my control.

  5. 172

    なるんですね

    You should become (See Grammar Notes)

  6. 173

    ちょおなん

    eldest son

  7. 174

    にじゅう

    twenty years old

  8. 175

    けっこん(する)

    marriage (to marry)

  9. 176

    ---さい

    age (counter for age)

  10. 177

    さきがながい

    a long way to go

  11. 178

    ご---

    honorific prefix

  12. 179

    よろしくおっしゃってください

    Please convey my best regards.

おばあさん
grandmother
いや
no
--にとって
for, to, with (See Grammar Notes)
こればかりはどうにもなりません
This is something beyond my control.
なるんですね
You should become (See Grammar Notes)
けっこん(する)
marriage (to marry)
---さい
age (counter for age)
先が長い
a long way to go
御---
honorific prefix
よろしくおっしゃってください
Please convey my best regards.

Humble travel and farewells · Word list 4 of 4

Receiving by status

*MORAU* means "to receive" from an inferior person. Its humble equivalent *ITADAKU* applies when the giver is a superior.

*WATAKUSHI WA SENSEI NI HON O ITADAKIMASHITA* means "I received a book from my teacher."

After a verb's TE-form, either word means that the subject receives the favor of another person's action.

The farewell when leaving home

*行ってまいります* is the humble expression for *ITTE KIMASU*. A person says it when leaving home to someone who remains there.

*一人で 行ってまいります* states that the speaker will go alone and return.

The set also recalls first-person *まい* in *私は 今日は 行きますまい*, "I won't go today."

  1. 180

    おっしゃる

    to say (honorific verb) (See Notes)

  2. 181

    やりとりする

    to exchange, to give and receive

  3. 182

    いなくては

    if I'm not around

  4. 183

    いってまいります

    I'll go (and return), goodbye (See Notes)

  5. 184

    わたくしは---まい

    I will not --- (See Grammar Notes)

  6. 185

    まいる

    to go, come (humble verb) (See Notes)

  7. 186

    わたくしはたなかさんとてがみのやりとりをしています。

    I have been corresponding with Mr. Tanaka.

  8. 187

    いつもわたくしがいなくては、こまります。

    There is always trouble if I am not around.

  9. 188

    ひとりでいってまいります。

    I'll go by myself (and come back).

  10. 189

    わたくしはきょうはいきますまい。

    I won't go today.

  11. 190

    きょうはあついです。

    It's hot today.

Guide for Free Conversation

1 Visual Cue

On a separate sheet you will find a family tree of Uchiyama Haruo.

2 Talk about it.

Description of life situation A pays a visit to B. Students take turns playing both roles.
Homework

1 Memorize the Dialogue and know the vocabulary.

2 Study the Pattern Drill.

3 Learn to read and write the new kanji.

4 Read the Explanatory Notes.

5 Use the Guide given for practice in free conversation.
おっしゃる
to say (honorific verb) (See Notes)
やり取りする
to exchange, to give and receive
居なくては
if I'm not around
行ってまいります
I'll go (and return), goodbye (See Notes)
私は---まい
I will not --- (See Grammar Notes)
まいる
to go, come (humble verb) (See Notes)
私は田中さんと手紙のやりとりをしています。
"I have been corresponding with Mr. Tanaka."
いつも私が居なくては、困ります。
"There is always trouble if I am not around."
一人で行ってまいります。
"I'll go by myself (and come back)."
私は今日は行きますまい。
"I won't go today."
今日は暑いです。
"It's hot today."

The particulars

The course
Defense Language Institute, Japanese Basic Course, 1967 to 1971. Public domain. The teaching pages and the narration are ours.
Reading aloud
Digital narration, directed by 1732 Studios.
The book
Botchan, the work this course leads to, free to read here.
Data
JSON · Markdown · A guide for agents
Two whoopie pies and a pine. An inside joke.